October 8, Benny Feilhaber scored the lone goal for the New England Revolution in their 2-1 loss to the San Jose Earthquakes at Gillette Stadium or a crowd of 9,111. The 2010 Golden Boot winner Chris Wondolowski tallied both goals for the Quakes for a season total of 14 goals, putting him a three-way tie for 2011 goal leader alongside the good company of Thierry Henry and Dwayne De Rosario.
Both teams are out of playoff contention and players are fighting for places on the 2012 rosters. The Revolution (5-15-12, 27 pts, -17 GD) now stand 17th in the 18-team league and the Quakes (7-11-14, 35 pts, -6 GD) hold the 15th spot.
Goalkeepers Bobby Shuttleworth and David Bingham were forced to make six saves each and worked all night to compensate for defenses lapses on both team. The Revolution launched 18 shots overall and the Quakes fired off 14 and rightly, both teams should have scored more goals.
Feilhaber, Guy make their marks
Despite the resulting loss, there were some positive takeaways, which is more than can be said for many of the Revolution's games this season, including wins and ties. These days the only way New England win or tie is because of errors on the part of the opposing team or the referee, so even three points is small cause for celebration when the play is so poor.
However in this game, Feilhaber appeared to take charge of the Rebolution's disorganized midfield and top third and put together some sharp play with newcomers Ryan Guy, Monsef Zerka, Milton Caraglio, Chris Tierney and young Diego Fagundez, despite being handicapped with a lot of dead wood. That is an enormous undertaking given the slack culture and sketchy players that have drifted in and out of the Revolution in the past few years and a coaching staff that takes no responsibility for the eyesore on the pitch.
Feilhaber's decisive touch and cat-like movement complemented the overlapping attacking play of Guy and Tierney and created opportunities for Caraglio and Fagundez. Yet, it was Feilhaber who swept in to finish off the ball rebounding in the chaos in front of the net. It's easy to see Feilhaber is the Revolution's 2011 MVP, as he also leads with five assists and is third in goalscoring with four tallies, all scored in the run of play. It's also easy to see how that skill and work rate could help Jurgen Klinsmann transform the U.S. Men's National Team, who defeated Honduras two hours earlier but still lack a central playmaker.
Time of transition
Shalrie Joseph had little presence on the field despite the enormous talent he once was. Perhaps it has been the headiness of being the big fish in a small pond for so long that reduced his ability, but as he has been a cheerleader for ineffective veterans Sainey Nyassi, Kenny Mansally and Pat Phelan, some of the responsibility falls on his own shoulders. Although long a hero for New England, Joseph's talents might need to be revived under a different coach and with teammates who force him to compete for a spot in the starting line-up.
Given the mediocrity of New England's roster and leadership, there will be no miracle turnarounds in the final two games. But Feilhaber, Guy and Caraglio are working hard to redeem the team's stature as first division professionals and their efforts are worth watching.
"I want to make a difference," said Guy, "and unfortunately things seem to be continuing down the road they’ve been going. But a couple games left and (we have) still some time to show what were made of and what we’ve got."
Next up
The Revolution's 2011 home finale is versus the Columbus Crew on Saturday, October 15 at 7:30 p.m.
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New England Revolution vs. San Jose Earthquakes
October 8, 2011 – Gillette Stadium (Foxborough, Mass.)
San Jose Earthquakes 2, New England Revolution 1
Scoring Summary:
SJ: Chris Wondolowski (David Bingham) 8
NE: Benny Feilhaber (unassisted) 55
SJ: Chris Wondolowski (Sam Cronin, Simon Dawkins) 82
New England Revolution: Bobby Shuttleworth, Chris Tierney, Ryan Cochrane (Kheli Dube 86), Darrius Barnes, Monsef Zerka (Zack Schilawski 74), Shalrie Joseph ©, Benny Feilhaber, Ryan Guy, Diego Fagundez, Milton Caraglio
Substitutes Not Used: Tim Murray, Franco Coria, Otto Loewy, Pat Phelan, Andrew Sousa
STATS*: Shots: 18; Shots on Goal: 7; Saves: 6; Corner Kicks: 7; Offside: 5; Fouls Committed: 8
San Jose Earthquakes: David Bingham, Steven Beitashour, Jason Hernandez, Bobby Burling, Justin Morrow, Rafael Baca, Ramiro Corrales (Brad Ring 79), Sam Cronin, Simon Dawkins (Ellis McLoughlin 87) Khari Stephenson, Chris Wondolowski
Substitutes Not Used: Jon Busch, Joey Gjertsen, Maxwell Griffin, Chris Leitch, Matt Luzunaris
STATS: Shots: 14; Shots on Goal: 8; Saves: 6; Corner Kicks: 4; Offside: 3; Fouls Committed: 14
Misconduct Summary:
NE: Feilhaber (caution) 34
SJ: Cronin (caution) 39
NE: Cochrane (caution) 54
SJ: Corrales (caution) 54
SJ: Wondolowski (caution) 58
Referee: Silviu Petrescu
Assistant Referees: James Conlee, Eric Proctor
Fourth Official: Jose Carlos Rivero
Weather: Clear and 68 degrees
Attendance: 9,111
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